Barring an appearance in his dad's TV programme The Loner, this was Bridges' first real foray into Western territory. His gravelly drawl, and stoic, macho persona seem to perfectly mesh with the genre, which he'll soon be revisiting for the Coens' True Grit.

Jake Rumsey (Bridges) is a nasty piece of work, leading a gang who rob, administer beatings, dodge drafts and generally cause trouble for their small Oklahoma town, in this subversive, glory-eschewing tale.

Laidback Dude? This is Bridges at the most aggressive and ruthless we've so far seen him.